Ward's fate remains in the balance after a failed alcohol test resulted in his exclusion from the Latvian Grand Prix 10 days ago.

The Aussie ace has since been allowed to compete in domestic speedway across Europe with the Federation Internationale Motorcyclisme (FIM) - the sport's global governing body - yet to break their silence on his punishment.

According to FIM anti-doping rules published in July this year, first-time offenders could face up to two years on the sidelines but may escape with only a reprimand.

Should Ward get banned, Ford warned that Poole would have no chance of adequately replacing their number one for the Elite League title run-in with no further changes permitted after August 28.

Discussing the implications of Ward's indiscretion for the first time, Ford confirmed he had yet to receive any communication from the FIM on the matter.

Speaking exclusively told the Daily Echo, Ford said: “If they were to ban Darcy now, it would mean us taking guests from other clubs so clearly this would not just have a huge effect on Darcy but the whole business at Poole and the club's supporters.

“We're hoping that after quite some time with no communication from the FIM that they will use their discretion and, as stated in their rulebook, no period of inactivity will be implemented.

“Ideally, Darcy will be able to complete his season. He has represented his clubs all year and with Poole and his Swedish club Piraterna involved in the play-offs, both clubs have a great need for his services at this late stage.”

Meanwhile, former Grand Prix star Emil Sayfutdinov today announced on Facebook that he would represent Pirates at the inaugural world club championship in Zielona Gora, Poland on Sunday.

Competing clubs will be required to name a five-man team but Poole will be without Vaclav Milik, who is on world under-21 duty, and Shamek Pawlicki who suffered a broken collarbone riding for Pirates at Leicester last Saturday.

Edward Kennett has been drafted in to guest for Pawlicki in tonight's home clash with Eastbourne (7.30pm).

Ford added that the Pole, who has returned to his native Poland for treatment, hoped to be back in action in a “couple of weeks”.

Comments (11)

Typical Matt Ford being selfish and only thinking of Darcy and Poole re play offs. Why should Darcy be given a reprimand , if this had been any other rider in a different team he would encourage that the FIM oblige by the rules. The trouble is Darcy pushes everything to the limit, taking substances, an incident involving a young person and now drinking. This lad needs to think of his future and what he wants. He certainly should not be allowed to ride in Elite League the rest of the season. - he has blown his chances and he should learn from this. Why would anyone want to support his antics.

Typical Matt Ford being selfish and only thinking of Darcy and Poole re play offs. Why should Darcy be given a reprimand , if this had been any other rider in a different team he would encourage that the FIM oblige by the rules. The trouble is Darcy pushes everything to the limit, taking substances, an incident involving a young person and now drinking. This lad needs to think of his future and what he wants. He certainly should not be allowed to ride in Elite League the rest of the season. - he has blown his chances and he should learn from this. Why would anyone want to support his antics.morris 1

morris 1 wrote:
Typical Matt Ford being selfish and only thinking of Darcy and Poole re play offs. Why should Darcy be given a reprimand , if this had been any other rider in a different team he would encourage that the FIM oblige by the rules. The trouble is Darcy pushes everything to the limit, taking substances, an incident involving a young person and now drinking. This lad needs to think of his future and what he wants. He certainly should not be allowed to ride in Elite League the rest of the season. - he has blown his chances and he should learn from this. Why would anyone want to support his antics.

So the old saying one man doesnt make a team certainly applies in matt Fords eyes how many times is it now that Darcy who beleives hes untouchable has been in the public eye and not for the right reasons .Scotty Nichols spoke out against him saying he is a proffessional sportsman and should act like one if he gets banned its no ones fault but his own despite what neil middleditch and Ford are saying about mitigating circumstances to suit there own ends thats what its all about

[quote][p][bold]morris 1[/bold] wrote:
Typical Matt Ford being selfish and only thinking of Darcy and Poole re play offs. Why should Darcy be given a reprimand , if this had been any other rider in a different team he would encourage that the FIM oblige by the rules. The trouble is Darcy pushes everything to the limit, taking substances, an incident involving a young person and now drinking. This lad needs to think of his future and what he wants. He certainly should not be allowed to ride in Elite League the rest of the season. - he has blown his chances and he should learn from this. Why would anyone want to support his antics.[/p][/quote]So the old saying one man doesnt make a team certainly applies in matt Fords eyes how many times is it now that Darcy who beleives hes untouchable has been in the public eye and not for the right reasons .Scotty Nichols spoke out against him saying he is a proffessional sportsman and should act like one if he gets banned its no ones fault but his own despite what neil middleditch and Ford are saying about mitigating circumstances to suit there own ends thats what its all aboutgameon

Darcy should be banned it is unbelievable someone would defend his actions by saying lets be lenient, he failed the test he gets punished. I am a Poole supporter and I am absolutely pig sick of Darcy Ward time and time again he gets himself in trouble, and alcohol plays a part every time its about time he grew up, you don't see other Speedway professionals ie Pedersen or Iversen doing this kind of thing and to be over he test limit in control of a motorcycle is crazy business. Danno got banned and Darcy should get the same treatment otherwise its one rule for one and one for another and just loses even more credibility the sport has.

Darcy has let himself, Poole and the supporters down big time once again.

Darcy should be banned it is unbelievable someone would defend his actions by saying lets be lenient, he failed the test he gets punished. I am a Poole supporter and I am absolutely pig sick of Darcy Ward time and time again he gets himself in trouble, and alcohol plays a part every time its about time he grew up, you don't see other Speedway professionals ie Pedersen or Iversen doing this kind of thing and to be over he test limit in control of a motorcycle is crazy business. Danno got banned and Darcy should get the same treatment otherwise its one rule for one and one for another and just loses even more credibility the sport has.
Darcy has let himself, Poole and the supporters down big time once again.Earthwire

As a speedway fan and fellow Aussie, I feel bad for Darcy and wish this (and every other stuff-up he's made) had never happened.
Each time I read of another mistake he's made I can't help wondering if he's turning into speedway's version of Anthony Gobert. (Former Superbike and GP star who went off the rails.)
.
Darcy: WAKE UP TO YOURSELF! GROW UP!

As a speedway fan and fellow Aussie, I feel bad for Darcy and wish this (and every other stuff-up he's made) had never happened.
Each time I read of another mistake he's made I can't help wondering if he's turning into speedway's version of Anthony Gobert. (Former Superbike and GP star who went off the rails.)
.
Darcy: WAKE UP TO YOURSELF! GROW UP!tzeggy14

well lets have a bit of perspective darcy has cocked up time and time again . Darcy comes across as a boy in a mans world. Until Matt and Neil realise its not great for business to have him around they will always be involved in this pantomine. Darcy needs a kick up the arse, lets all be truthful. He needs to realise the world of Speedway with the business interests , Matt and his sponsors dont need to cover for him . The games up ,man up and be truthful before its to late !!!!

well lets have a bit of perspective darcy has cocked up time and time again . Darcy comes across as a boy in a mans world. Until Matt and Neil realise its not great for business to have him around they will always be involved in this pantomine. Darcy needs a kick up the arse, lets all be truthful. He needs to realise the world of Speedway with the business interests , Matt and his sponsors dont need to cover for him . The games up ,man up and be truthful before its to late !!!!boby

A lengthy ban is rightfully on the cards & appropriate of course. The delusion of some people who are closest to this 'serial' offender need to wake up big time & not feed off scraps of mitigation. A fallen idol he may well just become but maybe not forever...... Incarceration or time out to reflect is the only way forward in this talented youngster's progress but more importantly & vital is having the right people & influences around him to succeed & reach the top. Nuff said.Change we must. Be that change Mr Ward.

A lengthy ban is rightfully on the cards & appropriate of course. The delusion of some people who are closest to this 'serial' offender need to wake up big time & not feed off scraps of mitigation. A fallen idol he may well just become but maybe not forever...... Incarceration or time out to reflect is the only way forward in this talented youngster's progress but more importantly & vital is having the right people & influences around him to succeed & reach the top. Nuff said.Change we must. Be that change Mr Ward.jayphotofinish

I think everyone here is missing the point. This is about the FIM faffing about and not dealing with the case in a timely fashion which has put Poole up against the artificial deadline of 28th August. Surely it is in nobody's interest for Poole to complete their season with guests.

I think everyone here is missing the point. This is about the FIM faffing about and not dealing with the case in a timely fashion which has put Poole up against the artificial deadline of 28th August. Surely it is in nobody's interest for Poole to complete their season with guests.RRYFS55

It appears that Matt Ford is condoning 'drink racing' which surely is every bit as dangerous as 'drink driving', what a selfish, moronic man he is portaying himself to be......PROFIT, PROFIT and MORE PROFIT and tl hell with principles and any form of common decency......SHAME ON YOU

It appears that Matt Ford is condoning 'drink racing' which surely is every bit as dangerous as 'drink driving', what a selfish, moronic man he is portaying himself to be......PROFIT, PROFIT and MORE PROFIT and tl hell with principles and any form of common decency......SHAME ON YOUthemoonraker

And why shouldn't Matt Ford ask for leniency - it's his pocket that has not only kept Speedway alive in Poole, but also made a string of successful teams. He runs Poole speedway as a business so it's only natural that anyone in his shoes would want to protect their assets. I doubt that many of you (quick on the condemnations) are aware of all the facts.

And why shouldn't Matt Ford ask for leniency - it's his pocket that has not only kept Speedway alive in Poole, but also made a string of successful teams. He runs Poole speedway as a business so it's only natural that anyone in his shoes would want to protect their assets. I doubt that many of you (quick on the condemnations) are aware of all the facts.Yoowee

Oh actually we are aware that Matt Ford runs this as a business, how could anybody possibly not know that, money talks. We must get to the subject that being Darcy. We all know that he is a talented young man, but he cannot get away with what he does. Does it really matter if Poole have to get guest riders - I am sure the guests will have great satisfaction in helping Poole try and win the play offs.

Oh actually we are aware that Matt Ford runs this as a business, how could anybody possibly not know that, money talks. We must get to the subject that being Darcy. We all know that he is a talented young man, but he cannot get away with what he does. Does it really matter if Poole have to get guest riders - I am sure the guests will have great satisfaction in helping Poole try and win the play offs.morris 1

Yoowee wrote:
And why shouldn't Matt Ford ask for leniency - it's his pocket that has not only kept Speedway alive in Poole, but also made a string of successful teams. He runs Poole speedway as a business so it's only natural that anyone in his shoes would want to protect their assets. I doubt that many of you (quick on the condemnations) are aware of all the facts.

I beg to Differ with you Its the Fans money that keep Speedway going in Poole and The sponsors who give your Matt Ford a very good living yes he is running a business but i doubt very much if his so called love of speedway would be so evident if he was running a majority of the clubs in our sport that are barely surviving as you are well aware of, Poole is and always has been a speedway town and Matt Ford is the Lucky Guy .At the Moment .

[quote][p][bold]Yoowee[/bold] wrote:
And why shouldn't Matt Ford ask for leniency - it's his pocket that has not only kept Speedway alive in Poole, but also made a string of successful teams. He runs Poole speedway as a business so it's only natural that anyone in his shoes would want to protect their assets. I doubt that many of you (quick on the condemnations) are aware of all the facts.[/p][/quote]I beg to Differ with you Its the Fans money that keep Speedway going in Poole and The sponsors who give your Matt Ford a very good living yes he is running a business but i doubt very much if his so called love of speedway would be so evident if he was running a majority of the clubs in our sport that are barely surviving as you are well aware of, Poole is and always has been a speedway town and Matt Ford is the Lucky Guy .At the Moment .gameon